Fixed-time flush valve



Jan; 31, 1928; 1,657,817

r w. H. cADwELL ET AL FIXED TIME FLUSH VALVE Filed April 15. 1926 lNvENToRS V//z'amj @ardu/ell,

BY John 0H.

Patented Jan. 3l, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT, orifice.

W'ILLIAM ADWELL AND JOHN OTT, 1)1`fl`l'h`llir BRLTAIN, COIQ'NECTXCT, ASSIGNORS TO THE `BEATN &KCAI)WELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW BRTANCON- NECTCUT, la CLLIFORATION OF CONNECTICUT;

FIXED-Tram lAppiimion aed April 1 actuating button maybe operated a plurality of times in quick succession, or may be held down continuously.

A further object is to provide a fiushvalve of the above nature which will be simple in construct-ion7 fool proohineXpensive to manutacture, easy to install and manipuiate, ornamental, and very efficient and durable in i USG.

Vith these and other objects in view there have been illustrated on the accompanying drawings three forms in which the inventionA may be conveniently embodied in practice. Fig. 1 represents a vertical side sectional view of a flush valve embodying the invention.

F ig. 2 is a side view of the top of a fiush valve having a modifiedY form of vactuating means-in this instance a lever.

Fig. 3 is a side view, shown partially in section, of a flush valve having another modified form of actuatingr means-fin this instance an oscillating handle.

Referring' now to the drawings in which like reference numerals denote correspond ing parts throughout the several views, the

i numeral 1) indicates the body member of' the flush valve, said body member' having a side inlet port 11 and a bottom outlet port 12. The top of the outlet port 12 terminates in an annular rim 13 which forms a seatl for a main valve flat disc section 14a having an upwardly eX- tending shaft 15, said shaft 15 being preferably cylindrical in cross-section- The disc section 14 is also provided with `a depending threaded shaft 16, surrounding which is a circular flexible annular diaphragm4 17, preferably of' rubber7 which is adapted to seat tightly upon the rim`187 and is held in place by a tapered nut 18 screwed upon the lower end of' the threaded shaft V16.

The outer edge of the diaphragm 17 is seated in an annular recess formed on the in- The main valve 14 has aV FLUSH VALVE.

5l, 192s. seriai'no, 102,237.

side of a. flange 19 of the body member 10, and said diaphragm is held rigidly upon said flange bythe outer rim 2O of a cover member 21, said flanges 19 and 20 and said diaphragm 17 being held together tightly by a plurality of screws 22.

The space in the flush valve below thel diaphragm 17 will hereinafter be termed the main chamber, while the space between the for a releasing valve which is adapted to fit tightly in said seat.

The releasing valve comprises -a vertical rod 26 having a fiange 27 near its bottom end, the portion ofsaid rod .below said flange 27 being threaded at 28 to receive a conical flexible valve washer 29, said washer 29 being held in place by a nut 30 screwed upon the threaded portion 28 of said rod 26. An operating button 31 is secured upon the top of the rod 26 preferably by a threaded section 31a` of'said rod, said button 31 being preferably constructed lfrom porcelain or `other durable waterproof material. The button 31 is provided on its under side with a reinforcing disc 32, said disc 32 forming a bearing surface for a spiral spring 33 which surrounds said rod 26 and the reduced section 24 of the cover member.

In orderto centralize the button member 31, said memberv is provided with a downwardly extending tubular skirt member 34, i f

said skirt member being` adapted to fit loosely within the upper cylindrical portion 35 ofy a conical shell member 36, said shell member 36 being enlarged and threaded at its base 36 so that it may be screwed upon the outside oi the fiange 19 previously mentioned. `The lower part of the flush valve is covered by a second shell member 37, having a threaded upper flange 37a screwed to the diaphragm and the cover member 21 will be body member 1t). The shell member 37 is provided with a threaded lower section 38 for connection to a pipe, not shown, said pipe leadingr to a closet bovvl or other device xo be flushed.

.ln order to provide means tor producinga delinite lxed period o flush irrespective ot the length of time the operating button 31 is held down, a check valve member 39 is `novided. The check valve member 39 comprises a cup-shaped upper main bod;y portion it() preferably cylindrical in shape and having' a plurality oi parallel ribs ll-eightin this instancespaced uniformly about its periphery and adapted to seat Within the cylindrical bore ot the lower part of the tubular section Q3 of the cover member 21.

The check valve member 39 is provided with a bottom horizontal liange 42 adapted normally to rest upon the top ol the liat dise section 1st ot the main valve 14. lVhen the iiush valve has been operated, as will be clearlyY understood, the main valve will open and force the cheek valve 39 upwardly until the top ot the flange 4Q thereof engages an annular Hat rib 13 on said cover member 21, Said rib having a, radial groove 43a in one side for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

In order to provide means for restoring the pressure in the control chamber after the flush has been operated. a b v-pass is provided in the side of the easingr opposite the inlet port 11. This bv-pass comprises a rotary plug dal havingr a longitudinal passage 45 communicating with the main chamber, said passage 45 opening into a trans verse passage 4:6 which goes entirelj,Y through the plug and is connected at its upper end with an inclined passage 47 in the flange 19 of the body member. The passage 47 leads to a second inclined. passage 4S in an enlarged boss t9 of the cover member 21. and said inclined passage 48 communicates with the interior of the control chamber.

In order to provide means for changing the period ot' flow Ot the liush valve, aI slot 50 may be provided in the outer tace of the plug 41:1 tor manipulation by a screw driver. The plug' 44 mayv be locked in {in}T desired adjusted position by means ot a lock bushing 51 which maj;7 be screwed into a sul`- rounding; threaded recess in the body member 10 bv means ot a Spanner Wrench or other suitable tool which is adapted to engage in a pair of side holes of said bushing 51.

In operation. when it is desired to flush the valve.` the button 31 will be pressed downwardlv. This will permit a small quantitj.v ot Water to escape from the releasing' chamber enclosed b v the tubular section Q3. out: through the apertures 24 in the upper reduced section Q4 and into the space outside ol' the cover member 21. The water vvhich has` thus escaped will then flow down to the outlet port 12 through a passage, not shovvn, in the bodjiy member 10.

As will be understood. thcI Water escaping from the releasing chamber will reduce the )resem-e in the control chamber1 and this will allow the unbalanced pressure ol" the water in the main chamber to act upon the diaphragm 17 and raise the main faire la oli' ol' its seat. flushing stream ivill then be pt u'n'iitted to loiv from the inlet port l1 to the outlet port 1Q and said stream will continue until the pressure in thc control chamber has been restored to normal by the :slow leakage of water from thc main chamber through the lay-pass into the control chamber. The main valve, when it rises. will torce the check valve member 39 upwardly into Contact wtih the annular rib i3 on the cover member Q1, and said checl-l valve member S9 will be held in contact. with said rib b v the pressure ot the Water underneath as long as the releasinglr valve remains open. After the release valve has clot-fed. however, the check valve member 89 .vill drop from its upper seat on the annular rib generally in tivo to four seconds. this being; permitted bf; the leakage by said rib through the radial groove 43a.

ln the moditied. form ot the invention. shown in Fig. f2. the valifo-operating mecha nisl'n comprises a curved inverted hooltshaped lever 53. said lever having a convex handle section The lever .fl pivoted on a pin mounted in a pair o t wing; member.`v extending' upwardly 4from a collar member 5th said collar member 5G beim! threaded upon the top ot' the outer shell 57 oft the flush valve. The hook section 5? is prm'ided on its top with a depending plug :7S adapted to engage a button Btl which siu'iilar in all respects to the button 31, prrvouslv described for the first. 'torni ot the invention. 'The collar member {it} is adapted to be held in adjusted position b v a .set .screw (i0 and has a second pair oil wing members (il on the side opposite 'from the wingr inem4v bers :7:71. said Wing mcnlhers (il. serving' to guide the hook-shaped` lever 53.

ln the form ot the invention shown in Fig'. fl. the flush is operated b v an oscillating handle (r2 which may be of porcelain or ot any other durable waterprool1 material. and .said handle (iQ is connected to a rod tifl havin; u rounded head section (il which is adapted to engage a piston member (t5 lo cated ivithin a chamber (tti. 'l`he piston member (l5 has a rearn'ardlv evtendingslmfl t1?. which extenttls into a hollow dome .section (i8 into engagement: with one arm tlf) olt a bell-crank lever T0. The bell-crank lever Ttl is pivoted at 71 to the dome GR and has` it,` other arm 'T2 lying horizontal and in en nagen'ient with a button Til which is .similar to the buttons 31 and 59. previouslyv de ltfl Lerrnal'z. a

scribed. The dome section 68 is held upon the shell 74; of the flush valve by a nut 75, said nut being provided with legtt and. right hand threads at its top and bottom portions,-

respectively. By means o1 this construction, the dome G8 may be twisted about the shell 74 and loclred with the handle 62 pointing in any desired direction. A collar member 7G is adapted to surround the chamber 66 tor holding the handle in position and a spiral spring 77 is located Within said chamber G6 it'or normally maintaining the handle 62 in a horizontal position, as shown in Fie. 3.

`While there have been disclosed in this specification three forms in which the in` vention may be embodied, it is to be understood that these forms are shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specic disclosures but be modiiied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modilications and embodiments coming within the scope ot' the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and lfor which it desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

l. In a flush valve, a main chamber, a control chamber and ai releasinfrl chamber, a flexibly-supported valve `separating said chambers, means for suddenlv releasing a small quantity oit water from said control chamber whereby the valve will rise and start the flushing stream, means :lor slowly restoring the pressure in said control chamber, and a check valve in said controlchamber having a portion extending into said releasing chamber for restrictingthe escape of water `irom said `control chamber valter said tlexibly-supported valve has opened.

E2. ln a lflush valve, a main chamber, a control chamber and a releasing chamber, aller.- ibly-supported valve separating said chambers, means for releasing a small quantity of water from said control chamber where by the valve will rise and start the flushing strean'i, means for slowly restoring the pressure in said control chamber, and a check valve in said control chamber having a portion extending into said releasing chamber for restricting the escape of water from said control chamber after said flexibly-supported valve has opened, said check valve the rpressure in saidcontrol chamber, and a check valve 1n sald control chamber having a portion extending into said releasingy chamber for restricting the escape ot water from said control chamber' a'tter said tieni-z gravity to its original position when the operation of said releasing means is stopped.

ln a flush valve having a main chamber, a control chamber, a releasing chamber, and abyepass, a flexibly-supported valve separating said chambers,'1neans for releasing a small quantity of water it'rom said con-v trol chamber to reduce the pressure therein and permit said valve to open and start the Hush, and a check valve in said'control chamber having a portion extending into said releasing chamber for restricting the low of wat 'lrom said `control chamber as soon as said flexibly-supported valve is opened. i

ln a llnsh valve having a main chamiz-cr, a control chamber, a releasing chambc and a by-pass, a flexibly-supported main valve separating said chambers, a releasing valve Afor permitting ithe `escape `of water from greater pressure in said main chamber will ransc the main valve to open, a check valve tending into said releasing chamber carried by said main valve and adapted to close when said main valve is raised, said check valve when closed serving to restrictthev low or water from said controlling cham ber to said releasing valve.

G. ln a flush valve having a main chamber, a control chamber, and a by-pass, a

controlchamber having a portion eX-V sof id vcontrol 'chamber `whereby the llt) said flange on the cover o t' said control chamber. n

7. In a ilush valve having a main cham ber, control chamber, and a by-pass, a flexi-V bly-supported main valve separating said chambers, a releasing valve for permitting the escape oll water from said control chamber whereby the greater pressure in said main chamber will cause the main valve to open, said main valve having an upwardly estending member, a tubular check valve surrounding said upwardly extending member, said check valvehavng a fiat flange at its base, and a seat for said flange on the cover of said control chamber.

8. In a flush valve havingr a main chamber, a control chamber, and a bypass, a ilexible main valve separating said chambers and being adapted to permit a flushing stream to flow from the inlet to the outlet of said flush valve, said Control Chamber having a cover, said cover having a tubular upwardly extending section, a releasing valve closing the upper end of said tubular section, a cheek valve having a body portion fitting Within said tubular section, said cheek valve having a bottoni flange and said cover having a seat for said flange wherebj,y the escape ol' Water :from said control chamber will be checked as long as the relea "ng valve is held open.

9. In 'a flush valve ha ving a main chamber, a control chamber` and a by-pass, a flexible main valve separating Said chambers and being adapted to permit. a flushing stream to flow from the inlet to the outlet of said Hush valve, Said control rhainber having a cover, said cover having a tubular upwardly extending section, a releasing;` valve closing the upper end of raid tubular seetion, a Cheek valve having a ribbed outer surface slidable within said tubular section. said cheek valve having a bottoni flange. and said cover having a seat for said flange whereby the escape of Water from said control chamber will be cheeked as long as the releasing valve is held open.

10. In a flush valve having a main chanr ber, a control chamber, and a by-pass, a flexible main valve separating said chambers and being adapted to permit a flushing stream lio lion' from the inlet to the outlet of said llush valve, said control chamber having a eover, said cover having a tubular upwardhl extending section, a releasing valve dosing the upper end of said tubular section, a cheek valve fitting within said tubular section. said cheek valve having a bottom flange, and said eover having a depending` seat for ,raid flange whereby the escape of water from said control chamber Will be cheeked as long as the releasing valve is held open.

l1. In a tlush valve having a main cham bei', a control chamber, and a bypass, a Hex ible main valve separating said chambers and being adapted to permit a fluhing stream to ov." from the inlet to the outlet of said lneh valve. said control chamber having a tubular rover. a releasing valve closing the upper end of said cover. a check valve fitting within .said tubular cover. Said check valve having an ontetanding llange, said f-over having a depending rib to form a seat tor Said flange. and said rib having a narrow groove to permit slow leakage of liquid pat said flange.

l n testimonir whereof, we have allixed our signatures to this speeieation.

VILLIAM H. CADWELL. JOHN OTT. 

